Transmitting mechanism



llvlalttl'l 12, 1940. E R, BURTNETT 2,193,267

TRANSMITTING MECHANISM i Filed Sept. 28. 1936 ZNVENTOR,

VPatented Mar. l2, 1940 UNITED STATES l 2,193.26# raANsm'rrmG Mncnmsm Even-m n. aumen, Los Angeles., assignmto Automotive Improvement Patents l(lorporation, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application september es, 193s, serial No. ioasss 9Claims.

tions of a faster speed. ratio of drive throughthe multi-speed transmitting unit between the power driven driving and load propelling driven members, and to means whereby the operator may at his option alter the driving speed ratio of either the automatically established low speed ratio of drive or the automatically supplementedv higher speed ratio of drive. f f A ilrst great drawback in automatically established initial driving and 'supplantivespeed ratios of drive, which advantageously operate accumulatively with respect to stepped speed attainments in the transmission trains, is that such relations require-one-way driving connections in the lower speed ratios of drive which are to be supplanted or superimposed by accumulative driving connections of. higher supplanting speed ratios of drive, in. order that the driven member common to all driving speed ratios may overrun each accumulatively supplanted next-under-speed ratio of drive train thereto. In automotive applications, the

one-way driving under-speed ratios operate as a drawback in that they free-wheel in gear and do not provide a positive gearing drive whereby the engine compression braking eifort against the vehicle is available in gear. With such applications it has been the practice in projected automatic transmission developments to provide 40 shiftable gear or jaw clutch devices broughtunder the optional control of the operator for at least supplanting the automatically established high" speed ratio of drive with a positive gear drive y in which the engine compression braking effort is obtainable at a geared advantage against the ,momentum of the vehicle. Due to their positive interengageable character, the gear or jaw clutch establishing means of optionally bringing a more eilective positive gear ratio connection Iirl the vehicle drive `into play imposes, that either the speed of the vehicle be reduced to a point at which' the transmission will automatically uncouple to the extent of permitting the optional shift of the positive gear or jaw clutch element. 6,5 or the provision of clutch means disengageable (ci. u ass) at the option of the operator whereby the drive is temporarily loosened to permit the shift of gear or jaw clutch parts. Eitherrequirement upon the driver is contrary to safety and ease of vehicle control. v5 A second great drawback of the automatically accumulatively established stepped up lspeed ratios of drive, one superimposing another and taking the load therefrom is that the changes between the respective next-in-ratio drives must 10 be eected at predetermined vehicle speed attainments, each not too high, if the transmission is not to revert back to a next-in-ratio lower. speed ratio at too high a vehicle speed to be .of normal advantage and economy and comfort to the ve- 15 hicle occupants. The automatic control therefore should be such that it will operate to bring the highest, or touring. speed ratio into play incident to the vehicle attaining a speed not to exceed 25 M. P. H. 'Ihere rises therefrom the require- 2@ ment for a means provision whereby the operator may impose his will'at his option over the automatic speed changing transmission and cause the same to remain in a higher torque gear ratio of drive, than the top speed ratio, up to a vehicle 25 speed attainment appreciably higher than 25 M. P. H. l Diversifying over means to meet similar requirements, as fully described in my co-pending applications: Serial No. 696,682 filed Nov. 4, 1933; 30 and Serial No. 95,357il1ed Aug. 11, 1936, an object of the present invention is to provide a combined automatic and optionally controlled change sp'eed transmission having improved change speed gear- .set component-forms and arrangements, and im- *35 proved automatic speed changing clutch mechanisms, and improved optional control means by which the operator causes the transmissionto operate at a diil'erent speed ratio than automatically established including an alternative 40 positive two-way driving-under-speed ratio-tothe automatically established top speed.

A drawback of centrifugally energized friction clutch engagements, through the progression from initial to positive clutching states, results .45 from mounting of the presser clutch elements by means of sliding relations such as splines or rails. Such provisions tend to promote uneven progressive movement in response to the gradually increasing centrifugal force. That is to say, the 59 high friction coefiiclent of slide contacts bel tween the presser clutch element and its mounting operates to restrain the presser element from responding to the centrifugal urge applied to it gradually in accordance with the gradually in- 'll creasing centrifugal inuence. 'I'he result is a jerky or rough clutch engagement. To overcome this last mentioned drawback, the present invention has for a further object the provision of ball orv other roll-free type of bearing in the mounting of the presser clutch element in connection with provisions for centrifugal energizing of presser clutch elements to accomplish automatic clutch engagement. It will-be undercation and the accompanying drawing.

'I'his invention (inra preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figur 1 is a vertical iongitudinai section through a combined automatic and optional change speed power transmissionembodying the features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail cross section on line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing one form of speed responsive automatic clutch mechanism of the invention and one fornrof anti-friction longitudinal movemen't mounting of the presser clutch element feature of the invention.

A form of the present invention is illustrated as an intermediary multi-speed transmission for connecting a driving member, preferably .an engine crank shaft I0, to a vehicle propelling member, preferably an axially aligned driven transmission part b. It is characterized particularly, first, by a constituency of variable speed intermediary gearing and shafts, arranged operatively between the aforesaid driving member IIJ and driven member b, which includes a low speed ratio provided with an overrunning clutch in series therein such that the driving connections of the low speed may remain mobilized while a higher speed ratio of drive supplantively operates to overrun the low speed drive; secondly, by a #constituency of centrifugal automatic and optionally engageable friction, clutches related to the variable speed intermediary means such that one centrifugal automatic clutch normally 'operates to complete the driving connections of the low speed ratio between the driving and driven members, such that a second centrifugal automatic clutch normally operates to establish a higher speed ratio of drive supplantively over the low speed ratio of drive between the driving and driven members, and such that the optional clutch will operate to open one of the centrifugal lautomatic clutches and alternatively connect the intermediary gearing s'uch that a low speed ratio may be superimposed over an otherwise automatically establishable or established high speed shaft I2 as a whole forms a. direct drive intermediary transmitting member between the driving and driven members a and b. With respect toits forward end. portion this main transmitting shaft I2 is adapted to operate as a clutch shaft,

4respect to its intermediate portion and in connection with a gear member I5 integral or xedly but detachably mounted thereon, this shaft I2, and more particularly in combination with its forward portion, is adapted to operate as an autoi matically connectable driving element of an indirect drive transmitting train between the driving and driven members a and b. And with respect to its rearward end portion this main transmitting shaft i2 is adapted to operate as one speed ratio effected output element or member of a multi-speed intermediary transmitting unit for driving connectionv with the driven member b, or as the driven end of a direct drive transmitting train, or automatically establishable top speed ratio of drive transmitting train means for connection to drive the axially aligned driven member b.

Axially parallel but out of line with the intermediary main transmitting shaft I2 is a countershaft I6 cluster of rotatably connected or integral gears I1, I 8, I8 and 28 and of which the gear I8 mates in constant mesh with the main transmitting shaft flxedly carried gear I5.

A suitable form, combination and arrangement for completing a selective forward or reverse indirect transmitting gear drive means between the main transmitting shaft I2 and driven member b Iof which the constant meshing Agears I5 and IB and the countershaft I6 are contributory is illustrated consisting of a detachable assembly extension of the driven member b and comprising a rear flanged portion 2l to turn with the shaft portion 22 of driven member b. A forward ange 23 is arranged to turn with the back portion 2| by bolts 24, the latter encompassed by sleeves 25 which serve to space the front and back portions 2I and 23 longitudinally apart while the bolts 24 render the ange 23 revolvable with the driven shaft 22. A member 26. forms an overrunning clutch annulus` and is provided with clutch teeth 21. A sleeve 28 freely encircles the rearward portion of the main transmitting shaft I2 and forms one speed ratio of drive output member to drive the driven member b. An overrunning clutch cam hub 29 is carried on and to turn with the sleeve 28 with roller clutch members 30 enga'ging the cam hub 29 and the annulus 26 prof viding a one-way drive between the sleeve 28v and driven assembly b. Carried on and to turn with the sleeve 28 is a shiftable Vgear member 3|. A reverse drive idler gear member 32 in constant mesh with thefcountershaft gear 20 provides an intermeshable selection for the shiiftable gear 3I between the countershaft gear I9 for forward gear drive and the reverse idler gear 32 for ieverse gear drive. Preferably the sleeve 28 is splined'at one diameter as indicated by 33, for. in-

expensive cost of manufacture, for the full -length of its periphery which, with correspondingly splined gear and overrunning clutch cam hub members 3l and 29 affords rotation of the cam 29 with its carrying driving sleeve member 28 and affords rotation of the gear 3| with, but

longitudinally shiftable on, its carrylns driven sleeve-28. On the shiftable gear 8|' for engagement with the Vclutch teeth 21 on the driven overrunning clutch annulus portion of the driven member assembly b, are mating clutch teeth 34v adapted to be engaged, preferably following the intermeshing of the gear 3| with the reverse idler gear 32, ,and 4by which comparatively simple means a reverse drive by-pass around the overrunning clutch between the forward and reverse drive sleeve 28 and theAinal driven assembly b means longitudinal raceways 'are by the onestroke of machining obtained for receiving freely rollable instrumentalities such as the anti-friction ball bearing elements 36 shown. Reference to the use for the'anti-friction bearing instrumentalities 36 at this point in the structure will be talren up with reference to means f'or coupling the shaft I2 vto drive the driven assemblyv b to follow. For silent operation in all speeds all gears making up the multi-speed gearset c are of the helical tooth type which Areactively under load effect an axial movement urge upon the body of the respective gear member. To render the shiftable gear 3| intermeshable with its selectable gears I8 and 32 the splines 33 between the slidable` gear 3| and carrying sleeve 28 must be cut on the same lead as the helix of the teeth of the gear 3|. vThe end movement' urge upon the body of the gear 3| under load is thus cancelled out of' the gear .3| at the spline relation with its carrying sleeve 26, leaving the latter under end thrust v urge t0 mOVe axially.. T0 pleVent any end movement of the gear carrying sleeve 28 I provide a -combined radial and end thrust taking bearing 31 between vthe sleeve 28 and the annulus portion 26 of the driven assembly b. .And to shift the gear 3| a bifurcated crank 38 is mounted by means of a transverse shaft 3,9 in the housing 40 which encases. the transmission.'

Preferably the housing 48 is formed with an open rear end to which is detachably secured an end wall 4| supporting in turn a rear main transmission bearing 4|a preferably of the deep groove ball bearing type and adapted to carry the shaft portion 22 of the driven assembly b and to take any end thrust in the latter particularly that which would be transmitted to the drive assembly l mediate main transmitting shaft I2 to turn with the engine driven driving member a automatically in response to a predeterminedspeed attainment of the latter would provide an automatic vehicle starting gear drive connection'to drive e the 4driven member b in response to the operator accelerating the engine upward from an idling speed.

Assuming the gears |5, I8, I9 and 8| were, respectively. of 2|, 25, I8 and 28 teeth this automatic vehicle starting gear drive hereinbefore just described would provide a 2:09 speed reducing ratio sufficient in torque multiplication for .most vehicle staljiing requirements. This automatic vehicle starting speed ratioxoi' drive I vthe main intermediate transmitting shaft I2 and choose to term the automatic second speed ratio from which an automatic change to high could advantageously be effected upon a vehicle speed attainment of anywhere from 10 to 20 M. P. H.

To' obtain an automatic change to high at, and responsive to, a predetermined speed of rotation attainment by the driven member b correspond-y ing to some. vehicle speed within the aforementioned 10-20 M. P. H. range a suitable provision comprises, a longitudinally movable presser clutch member 42 forming the actuating engaging elcment to a series of frictionally-engaging 'clutch elements forming the clutch component of a centrifugal automatic clutch mechanism between the vehicle propelling driven assembly. b. The presser clutch member 42 has an internal frictionaily-engaging cone clutch face 43 and a radially extending flange portion 44. e

Besides the presser clutch member 42, the fricvtionally-engaging clutch elements of -the centriffugal clutch componenmz` comprise a first bottom friction cone 45,` a second bottom friction cone 46, and drivingclutch cones 48, 50 and 5| which form an integral driving clutch element 41. This connecting driving clutch cone plurality assembly` 41 is in turn carried in rotation with the main intermediate transmitting shaft I2 by means of a. hub 53 splined to theshaft I2 and a (preferably spring steel) disk 54 connecting the cone asi sembly 41 to the hub 53 by means ,of capscrews 55. Retractive springs 56 areadvantageouslylt over the spacer and bolt 24 and 25 assemblies between a shoulder 51 provided on the spacers 25 and the back side of the hanged portion 44 of the presser clutch cone member' 42. In which positions the springs 55 operate to constantly urge the presser cone 42 forwardly and out of clutch engagement. Centrifugal weights 58 are arranged preferably with their centrifugal weight body surrounding the cone presser clutch mem- -ber 42 and have feet 58 operatively wedged between the xed forward flanged portion 2l of the driven member assembly b and the flanged portion 44 of the clutch presser cone member 42,

1 wherein the feet pivot the weights for rock motion in response to rotation of the driven assembly b. It will beseen that while the retractive springs 56 tend to move the presser cone 42 forwardly out of.' clutch engagement, the action of the centrifugal weights 58 is to urge the presser cone 42 rearwardly into clutching coaction with the driving clutch cone 48, the initial engagement with which latter causes in turn the movement of the entire tri-cone clutch faced driving clutch element rearwardly into engagement with the primary and secondary driven bottom friction clutch cone faces 45 and. 46. The plurality of cone clutch engaging units makes for high capacitywith lowcircumferential speeds and particularly advantageously minimizes open clutch clearance requirements, and all tending towards providing a heavy dutyicentrifugal automatic clutch capable of withstanding successive slip moments under extreme frictional pulls.

The enclosure of this multi-cone clutch in the gear-,box subject to the gear lubricant circulated by the running gears lends to the frictionaliyengaging clutch cone surfaces receiving considerablevlubricant while disengaged for each subsequent engaging slip moment. 'But to provide the multi-cone clutch frictlonally-engaging surfaces with a primary and\ce\rtain supply of lubricant, reservoired to flow over the lvarious cone durch ysurfaces. through the munged clutch 1t lfl clearancesfcentrifugally, I provide a trap surrounding a journal portion periphery 6| of the shaft portion 22 of the driven as'sembly b. Which shaft periphery 6| is bled forwardly by a duct or ducts 62 facilitating the flow of lubricant from the trap 60 to within the hollow interior of the cone clutch assembly. from where the lubricant is centrifugally urged to distribute over the'clutch cones each time they are opened.

To render the singular presser clutch element 42 free to move progressively between initial and positive clutch engagements, I provide longitudinal grooves 63 in the bore of the presser clutch cone 42, corresponding with the splines or grooves 35 in the periphery of the presser clutch member carrying annulus 26. Theanti-friction freely rollable instrumentalities 36 are arrangedin the grooves 35 and 63 mounting the presser clutch cone 42 positively rotatable with the annulus 26 Abut free to move longitudinally relatively to the latter. By thisnovel anti-friction longitudinal movement mounting provision for the presser clutch member 42, and more particularly in connection with its cone form, the presser clutch member 42 is rendered jerk-proof under increasing urge from. its centrifugal actuating weights 58 .and thereby prevents sticking of the presser clutch member in the process of progressively energizing engagement of the clutch from an ini- -tial to a positive state under the gradually increasing pressure from the centrifugal actuating instrumentalities Thus I have described in detail the improved'means of the present transmission invention for automatically establishing the high speed ratio of drive, namely, the lconnectingcf the main intermediate transmitting shaft I2 to drive the driven member. Which driving train I choose to term fourth speed ratio.

It will be seen that the automatically establishable top, high or fourth speed ratio of drive to the driven assembly b depends upon the main intermediate shaft I2 as does the indirect gear drive comprising the gears I5, I6, |9 and 3|, sleeve 28 and overrunning clutch 30 for driving. This arrangementprovides two automatic changing speed ratios of drive to the vehicle propelling vdriven member b through a single driven connection with the engine driven driving member a, that is to say, when the main intermediate shaft I2 is coupled to the driving member a.

To optionally open the automatic direct drive and revert the transmission to a high ratio gear drive through gears 65, I1 I8 and I5, or to optionally alter'the automatic gear drive of gears I5, I8, I9 and 3| to the still lower gear ratio of gears 65, I1, I9 and 3|, lI provide a sleeve shaft 64 in encircling and rotatable relative relation to the forward portion of the main intermediate shaft I2, which sleeve shaft 64 is adapted to operate as a secondary input-to-change speed gearset drivinglelement, or as a plurality con- -centric clutch or intermediate transmitting shaft element to the main intermediate or clutchshaft I2, or as a d riving element to anv auxiliary gear drive transmitting train component of the multispeed transmitting unitw c. With this forward i sleeve shaft 64 is (preferably integral) a gear member 65 constantly meshing with the countershaft gear I1 and thus providing an auxiliary or optional gear drive, or indirect driving transmitting train in permanent connection to drive both the high speed main intermediate shaftV |2 through the gears I8 and I5 and the low speed drlven'member driving train of gears I9, 3 I, sleeve 26 and overrunning clutch 3.0. This primary gear driving train consisting of the forward sleeve shaft 64 and gears 65 and I1 is normally adapted to run idle, but for optional primary driven connection with the engine driven driving member a.

It will be seen that if the gears y65 and I1 are, respectively, of 16 and 28 teeth ltheirfdrive augmentative to the pair of gears IS-and .`|5,respec tively, having 25 and 2l teeth, 'provides a 1:47 speed reducing-ratio of drive to the main intermediate shaft |2 which, if the latter were in direct connection with the driven member b would 'give the latter a forced'or optional third speed ratio of drive of 1:47 to l. And thel optional gear train of gears 65 and augmentatlvely to the gears I9 and 3|, the latter respectively, having 18 and 29 teeth and when carrying the load of the driven member b, would give the latter a forced or optional first speed ratio of drive of 2:82 to l. Thus I have disclosed two automatically establishable speed ratios of drive between the driving and driven membersa and b, respectively, of 2:09 to 1 and l to 1, and two forced or optional speed ratios of drive obtainable, respectively, a 1:47 to l optional alternative to the l to l automatic ratio and a 2:82 to 1 optional alternative to the automatic 2:09 to 1 ratio.

It will be seenat this point that'should the* auxiliary or optional gear train of gears 65 and I'| be brought in play to'drive the countershaft for starting the driven member-b from a state of rest, that until the centrifugal clutch 42 coupled the main intermediate shaft I2 to the driven member b, the drive would be through gears 65 and I1, countershaft I6 and gears I9 and 3| of the 2:82 to l ratio (first or low); that with the driving through the auxiliary or optional gear train of gears 65 and II maintained and the engagement of the automatic clutch between the -main intermediate shaft I2 and driven member b taking place automatically in response to predetermined speed attainment by the driven member b, the drive would automatically change to gears 65 and I`| and gears I8 and I5 and thence through the main intermediate shaft I2 dand engaged cone clutch 42 to the driven member b at 1:47 to 1 ratio (third)`; and. that by thereafter optionally relinquishing the drive through the optional gears 65 and I'I and alternatively eiectinga direct drive couple between the main intermediate shaft I2 and driving member a, the ratio of -drive to the driven member b would change to 1 to 1. Thus I have described a transmission constructed in accordance with my present invention as affording three successive speed ratios, for example, of 2:82 to 1--lz47 to 1 and gears employed will lprovide successive three speeds pick-up of the load of the driven member b from a state of rest if the use of the optional gear train of gears 65 and I'I is relinquished before the vehicle has reached anv accelerated speed attainment sumcient to cause engagement of the automatic driven member speed respon# sive automatic clutch e, as follows: With the drive initially through the gears 65 and I'l and gears k|9 and 3| the same 2:82 to 1 starting speed is obtained, but by relinquishing the gear drive through gears 65 and I1 and permitting the alternative direct drive couple to come into play 2,198,867' between the main intermediate shaft I2 and .driving member a, before the centrifugal automatic clutching at e takes place, the drive changes to gears I5 and I8 and I9 and 3i giving a 2:09 to 1 ratio and the change to 1 to 1 upon the centrifugal automatic clutching at e taking place. Thus obtaining the successive Speed ratios of 2:82 to 1-2:09 to l and 1 to l as against 2:82 to 1-1z47 to 1 and 1 to 1. To this extensive variable speed ratio controhattainment from three -constant meshing pairs of gears and a direct drive `shaft line, add the optional forced third under-gearratio of 1:47 to 1 alternative to fourth (high) through the optional employment of gears 65 and I1 to drive gears I8 and I5;' and the optional forced rst (low) under gear ratio of 2:82 to 1 alternative to automatic second 2:09 to 1 ratio" through the optional employment of gears 65 and I1 to drive gears I9 and 3l, all without a shift between clashable dentate positive clutch or gear forms, but rather by alternate use of friction clutches, and the unusual range, utility and flexibility from the simplest form of gearing becomes apparent.

Optional change speed controL--For the normal automatic establishment of direct drive couple between the main intermediate shaft I2 anddriving member a a novel and simplest form of centrifugal automatic clutch mechanism, is illustrated comprising the flat bottom friction clutch face 66 on the rear side of the engine ywheel Ii. A clutch or driven disk 61 carries the usual friction facing 68 and is engaged between the rear face 66 of the flywheel II and a presser plate 69 within the clutch^housing 1u, the clutch disk serving to drive or directly couple the main intermediate shaft I2 to the driving member a when clamped between the presser plate 69 and the flywheel II. In the conventional clutch the presser plate 69 would normally lbe advanced toward the flywheel I I by spring pressure so that the clutch would vbe engaged at all times `unless manually retracted. In the illustrated clutch in this particular adaptation the presser plate 69 is normally retracted away from the ywheel II,

, and is only advanced toward the iiywheel Ii into engagement with the driven disk 61 when the engine' driven driving member a reaches a predetermined -speed sui'licient toenergize the centrifugally operated mechanism to be hereinafter described. A subclutch housing 1i .is secured to the main clutch housing 16 and extends first preferably divergingly from the outer rim rearwardly form of mounting `"to rotate with the flywheel ."carri'ed clutch shell or housing is rendered free to move longitudinally. .Preferably thevpresser plate 69 is formed with a rearwardly extending cylindrical central portion providing an inner.

flange portion in close proximity'to the back` plate 12, into which latter are threaded capscrews 16 having stepped' diameters, freely passing through the presser plate 6g and compressing retractive springs 11 'between the head of the capscrews 16 and the forward side of the presser plate 69` This arrangement oil/the retractive brought up to sufiiciently energized springs 11 sufilces to cause the presser plate 69 to be constantly urged away from its associate engageable clutch disk 61 while energizing the `presser plate 469 to normally sustain the feet 16 Itwillbe' forwardly and' facilitate optional disengagement of the presser plate 69 from the disk 61 by means thrust against the outer ends of the weights from the rear or right. 'I'his arrangement of the centrifugal Weights 19 eliminates the usual clutch release levers, and due to the adaptation of the Weights to be optionally moved slightly forwardly from their rearwardly centrifugally advanced position around the axis of their feet to accomplish optionalreleaseof the centrifugally engaged clutch unit, together with the arrangement facilitating the effort to optionally retract the weights being exerted `upon the extreme leverage outer ends of the weights, aords their easy retractive motivation. Thus I have described the automatic engaging clutch unit of the .multi-input clutch mechanism d which has as its respective function the individual coupling of thel main transmitting 'shaft I2 to the driving member a.. Coupling of the auxiliary gear train driving shaft @il to the driving member a is brought under the function of the multi-input clutch mechanism provision d, of which, a novel optionally engageable clutch unit is illustrated and described as follows:`

The clutch housing or outer shell portion 1@ thereof is formed to extend preferably in full diameter to a point slightly hanged at right angles inwardly. Within this portion of the clutch shell l@ are lugs t@ secured to the shell, and carrled in the shell rotatable therewith but longitudinally movable relatively thereto by means of the lugs St, is an engageable driving clutch cone BI. The inner anged ends of the shell 10 serve as a rearward movement stop and the centrifugal weights 19 serve as a forward movement stop for the driving clutch cone di, which relation of the centrifugal Weights 1Q to the driving clutch cone itin 8i is permissible by virtue of both rotating as part I of the driving clutch unit. Thus the centrifugal weights 19 serve as a bottom pressur t elementto the.driving clutch cone @I and the driving clutchcone is rendered operative as' a bottom friction clutch element operative under pressure of engagement from the rear to contact the centrifugal weights at their extreme outer ends and subsequently urge same to swing or move in rock motion forwardly at their thusly contacted outer ends. The result being release, or prevention of clutching of the clutchdisk 61 as a reaction to cone clutch engaged pressure yfrom the rear, since the retractive springs 11 exert a constant urge upon the presser plate 69 to -back away yfrom the clutch disk 61, which urge becomes efforward retractive swing or rock movement on Weights 19.

Normally disengaged, but for optional forward i movement into'engagement with the bottom friction driving clutch cone 8l, is a driven clutch ,cone 82 serving to drive the outer shaft 6I when engagement with the driving clutch cone 8l.

The centrifugal weights 19 are adapted tov be contacted at their outer ends from the rear and forced forwardlyto force disengagement 'of the rotating the centrifugall around its own axis rather than requiring that the centrifugal force be completely overcome to accomplish disengagement of the automatic clutch at speeds at which the centrifugal would normally be effective to cause engagement of the clutch. The length ratio of the body weight proper of the centrifugal weight 19 over the length of its foot 18 provides the usual leverage ratio of the conventional.

clutch "throwout fingers. The optionally engagedclutch cones 8| and 82 operate as an actuator to these centrifugal weights (clutch throwout lingers) for forcing the latter to rock forwardly against their' centrifugal tendencyto rock rearwardly. The bottom cone clutch element 8| is mounted for free longitudinal movement for this purpose. 'l'.'he engaging mate (driven) cone 82 operating to pushfthe bottom cone 8| against the centrifugal weights 19. Thus by forcing the driven cone 82 into engagement with thecone 8| through the medium of the clutch actuating bearing 93 the optional change speed cone clutch is closed and the centrifugal. automatic clutch is forced open. The input to the gearset may thusly be alternated at the will of the operator between shafts I2 and 64. The leverage of the centrifugalweights 19 provides a higher coeilicient of disengaging rate to the centrifugal clutch than the coemcient of clutch engagement build up in the actuating cone clutch. This differential of clutching coefficients asl between one clutch by its engagement forcing another clutch out of en-f gagement provides a compensation for the dif ferential of gear ratios effected. It will be seen that torque will be transmitted through the actuating cone clutch unit before it fully accomplishes its superimposing function of forcing disengagement of the centrifugal clutch. .It is a further object of the present invention therefore to provide a hub'v 83 secured to the engaging driven clutch cone 82 and provided with longitudinal grooves 84 in its bore; to spline the respective carrying or driven shaft 84 as indicated at 85 thus providing corresponding longitudinal grooves on the periphery of theshaft 84; and to iit, preferably, balls 88 in thev corresponding grooves thus providing means positively preventing relative rotation but facilitating. free longitudinal movement of the hub 83 and secured clutch cone 82 relatively along the axis of its carrying shaft 64. A snap ring 81 in the periphery ofthe shaft 64 operates to limit the travel of thev balls 86 rearwardly thus establishing the maximum normally disengaged separation of the driven cone 82 from the driving cone 8|. A snap ring 88 in the end periphery of the shaft'84 cqacts with a ring 89 having stepped diameters and Voperating as a forward end abutment for a retractive Aspring which in turn is compressed against the forward end of the hub 83 of the driven clutch @ne 82 thus providing a resilient means constantly but yieldinglyurging the driven clutch cone or engaging optional clutch member 82 out of engagement with its matingdriving clutch cone 8 I. And

forming an end retainer, for the balls 86 is a snap I ring |00 fitted in the forward end bore of the hub 83.A Altogether this makes for a novel simple, effective and rugged mounting facilitating free axial movement for the engaging element of the optional change speed clutch component of the present invention. l

The usual clutch throw-out-bearing-carriage spindle 9| supports the usual carriage 92 carryingl l the optional clutch 'actuating bearing 98. In the conventional clutch the optional clutch actuating bearing 93 would be coactive with the usual clutch The usual retractive spring 94 operates to normally hold the optional control clutch bearing shown) bringing the bearing 93 under control of the operatonto be optionally actuated.

A bearing (suitably a needle type). 91 sustains the .forward end of the sleeve shaft 64 on its spindle related main intermediate shaft I2, while a combined radial load and end thrust taking bearing 98 serves to journal the main intermediate shaft I2 in the end of the sleeve shaft 64, and a bearing 99 provides for anti-friction end thrust of the intermediate shaft I2 and carried gear l5 rearwardly against the driven sleeve 28 from which latter said rearward end thrust is taken by the bearing 31. The usual main transmission bearing |09 journals the outer of the two concentric (preferably tapered roller type) Vthrow-out fingers (not shown) but substituted t for by the centrifugal weights 19.

clutch shafts 64 in the usual forward wall of the gearbox 40. i

l The operation of the invention follows:

Optional three speed start-to-top acceleration of the vehicle-Assuming the shiftable gear 8| is positioned forwardly in mesh withvthe countershaft forward drive gear I9 (placing the transmission ln all forwardspeeds gear) the driver .conventionally accelerates the engine with the right foot and depresses the conventional clutch pedal (not shown)l with the left, resulting in the crank 9| being swung forwardly, engaging the optional clutch driven cone 82, pressing the latter into engagement with the bottom frictiondriving cone 8|, forcing the latter into engagement with the outer end ofthe centrifugal weights 19 (serving as clutch release fingers) forcing the latter into their normal positions of rest non-responsive to their centrifugal movements tendencies,`and

normalizing the presser plate 69 to be maintained vthrough the vehicle propelling driven member b ensemble comprising drivingly in order the flange 28, the bolts 24,the flange 2| and the final output tail-shaft portion 22. This ratio being 2:82 to l from a given set of gears constitutingthe multi-speed gearset c or first'(low) speed ratio being maintained up to a predetermined vehicle speed, whereupon: Automatic change from first to second (under optional control) maintaining. the depressed clutch pedal l not shown) with the' left foot and maintaining engine acceleration in the usual manner with the right foot continues the operation of the described first speed. up to a predetermined vehicle accelerated speed attainment of said 15 M. P. H., at which point the centrifugal weights 58 actuate the presser cone 42 of the driven member b centrifugal automatic clutch component oi clutch mechanism e to clamp the driving plurality of clutch cones 49, 50 and 5I to driven cones 43, 55 and 46, whereby the plate 69 and flywheel II.

intermediate shaft I2 becomes connected directly to the driven member b, the gear driving train of gears `I9 and 3| and output sleeve shaft 28 and overrunning clutch relinquishing the drive to the higher speed ratio direct drive. Resultingin the gear drive changing from gears 65 and I1 and gears I9 and 3l to gears 84,5 and I1 and intermediate gears I8 and I5 resulting in an automatic change in gear drive from 2:82 to 1 to 1:47 to-l, for example.

Optional high speed accelerating second- Maintaining of the depressed clutch pedal (not shown) while maintaining engine acceleration conventionally with the right foot maintains the thusly automatically established second `speed the clutch pedal'. The result of the latter being the release of the optional clutch cones 8l and 82, the subsequent release of the 'centrifugal weights 19 and `,their subsequent centrifugal normal action to vactuate the presser plate 69 to clamp the clutch disk 61 between the presser Whereby the gear drive by shaft 84, gears 85 and I1 and gears I8 and I5 is relinquished to the direct drive coupling between the main intermediate shaft I2 and driving member a by virtue of the driving member centrifugal automatic clutch mechanism being released to. function normally. The drive is now direct (fourth) solely through the medium ample, 15 M. P. H., and at which the transmission is automatically established by means of one or more of the centrifugal automatic clutches in a given speed ratio, the driver may alter the transmission to operate at `the next-in-ratio lower f speed by maintaining the accelerator fully depressed withhis right foot and in the fool-proof, manner, thrust the clutch pedal (not shown) down with his left foot. This will result in the optional clutch cones 82- and 8i being brought `into engagement initially with low pressure clutching coeiliciency frictionaliy until the thusly engaged unity of cones BI and 82 reach the centrifugal weights (clutch release fingers) 19 and subsequently force thelatter to swing forwardly counter to their normal centrifugal swing A effect obtaining subsequently the release of the clutch disk 61 'and thus finally, against counteracted centrifugal-weights (clutch release fingers) 19, build up maximum pressure engagement of the cones 8| and 82. Whereby the high (fourth) speed drive is optionally broken as between the driving member a. and the main intermediate shaft I2, and the substitute drive of shaft 64 and gears 65 and I1 and gears I8 and I5 is brought into connection, through the medium of the optionally engaged lcones 8| and 82, with the power driving member a. This optional forced third y 7 (not shown) depressed. Any suitable form of easily releasable catch or ratchet means could be provided if desired whereby, once depressed" the clutch pedal control ofv the optionally enf gageable speed changing clutch unit would' remain engaged until tripped into release again.

through the speed ratio to be supplanted under" maintained full engine acceleration while the supplanting relatively lower speed ratio of drive is brought into play'to take the load. This, by

virtueof the optional clutch forming an inter? mediary in the optional means for releasing the automatic engaging clutch unit compensates for the differential between speed ratios of the thusly optionally supplanted and supplantingdrives.

Likewise, with respect to the optional "forced third speed alternative to the automatically established fourth (high), optional forced" first (low) is obtainable as an alternative to auto-` matic second under the vehicle speed of l5 M. P. H.,`for example, at which the automatic second would ,normally be operating.

Optional dzerential of stepped acceleration` three speed ratios.-As the `optional three speed getaway is effected ashereinbefore described (at the start of the description of operation), but with the exception that .the optional control clutch pedal (not shown) is released prior to the vehicle attaining the l5 M. P. H. at which the rear or driven member centrifugal clutch engagement takes place, the differential stepped relation of optional three speed getaway from a standing start would be, first (low) 2:82 to l, clutch pedal release ofv optional rst below 15,V M. P. H. resulting in change to automatic second Y2:09 to 1 and thereafter upon l5 M. P. H. vehicle speed attainment the automatic change to fourth (high) 1 to 1 ratio. j*

Wholly automatic two-speed.-By simply accelerating the engine for a vehicle start the centrifugal weights 19, being normally free to swing centrifugally, will cause the engagement of the clutch disk 81, subsequently the initial automatic starting second speed ratio drive of 2:09 to 1 through shaft I2 to gears I5 and I8, thence through gears I9 and 3i and thence through sleeve 28 and overrunning clutch 30 to the driven member b embodiment of flange 28, bolts 2l, flange 2| and output shaft portion 22. And upon 15 M. P. H. vehicle accelerating speed attainment the centrifugal weights 58 will cause the closing of the normally open clutch unit of driven cones 88, 45 and 46 with driving cones 49, 58 and 5l causing the main intermediate shaft I2 to directly take the load of the driven member b, thus automatically changing to fourth (high). This change also is obtainablennder fully maintained engine acceleration and no interruption of vehicle propelling torque flow, which is generally preferred 'over the torque reactive principle which imposes that the engine be decelerated anda wait occasioned befo're reaccelerating-in order toeffect the change.

Reverse-Preferably dash control shift of Athe gear 8| rearwardly into both gear tooth mesh with the reverse idler gear member 32 andinto clutch 4tooth mesh of dentatesd and 21 estabflishes the transmission in reverse gear drive. 'I'he reverse gear, ratiosv obtainable thereafter are optional first (low reverse) by depressing the clutch pedal `(not shown) and subsequently bringing the drivein from the driving member a through the optional clutchelements 8l and 82, shaft N and gears 65 and II to gears 20, 32 andA 3l,

'o1'. automatic second (reverse).by simply accelerating the engine whereby the drive is brought in from the driving member a through the main transmitting shaft lA and gears I5 and I8 to gears 20, 32 and 3 I. i

Neutral is obtainable forV warming up'or rac-- ing the engine withou't propelling ythe vehicle, by shifting the gear 3| intermediate between forward gear drive and reverse gear drive gears I9 and 32].

Thus I have described asimplest form of auto-- matic change speed transmission, while embody'- ing numerous novel component constructions- "and interclutch control and drivingly operating relations between different speed ratio effective trains, and affording both automatic and optional change speed control at most advantageous points of vehiclespeed, which is kept down to the time proven rugged and least expensive wheel type of. gears and fixed-axis torque-multipling countershaft component, andemploying the least number of gears in substantially the same arrangement as in the least expensive of manually shifted current conventional three speed forward and reverse motor vehicle transmissions.

It willbe understood that numerous details of construction may be varied througha wide range without departing from the spirit and principles 'of the invention,- and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted thereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a power `transmitting mechanism, a pair of 'concentric driving members, a common driven member in axial alignment therewith, a parallel countershaft, a forward drive gear on said countershaft, ajreverse drive gear train driven from said countershaft and including a selective intermeshable gear -member 'parallel but outofline with said countershaft and spaced longitudinally with respectto said forward drive gear, a 1ongitudinally shiftable driven gear splined on theV outer one of said pair of concentric driving members 'and adapted to be shifted oppositely into mesh, respectively, with said forward drive gear and said selective intermeshable gear of said reverse drive train, an overruning clutch one-way driveA connecting said outerk of said pair oficoncentric members with'said driven member, said longitudinallyshiftable driven gear and said .driven member each having .parts engageable to positively prevent relative rotation therebetween upon the intermeshing of said shiftable gear with the said selective intermeshable gear member of'said reverse drive train, and a friction type automatic engaging clutch mechanism operatively disposed between the inner one of said pair 4tric driving members for longitudinal shifting thereon such as for alternative mesh 'with optional intermeshable gearmembers, said outer one of said pair of concentric driving members forming a driver for said common driven member a one-way clutch actuated by said outer one of said pair of concentric members and operating to drivev said driven member, said driven member having a shaft portion coming into axial-line contiguity with the driving end of the inner one of said pair of concentric members and an enlarged hollow portion telescoping the driving end of the outer one of said pair of concentric members, a centrifugal automatic clutch mechanism having its driving element carried in rotation with and on the inner one of said pair of concentric members longitudinally intermediately between the contiguous driving end of the outer one of said pair of concentric members and the shaft portion of said driven member, said friction I0 clutch having its driven element carried in rotation with said driven member and said driving and driven elements comprising a plurality of frictionally-engaging units of mate cone-shaped friction clutch members. 88

` 3. -In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination with a driven member and a pair of i concentric driving shafts each forming a different speed ratio of drive and adapted individually l connectable to drive said driven member; of a i0 longitudinally grooved hub connected to turn at least in one direction with the outer one of said concentric members, a presser friction clutch member having a correspondingly longitudinally grooved portion in surrounding relation to said 85 grooved hub and roll free instrumentalities tted in said grooves of both said hub and said presser clutch member forming means connecting the latter to rotate with said hub but facilitating easy longitudinal movement of said clutch Mi presser member relative to said hub; a bottom friction clutch member connected to turn with said driven member, a driving friction clutch member between said presser clutch member and said bottom friction clutch member, said driving il clutch member carried in rotation with the inner one of said pair of concentric driving shafts, resilient means for moving said presser 'clutch member away from said driving clutch member under certain conditions, and automatic means lo for moving said presser clutch member toward and into engagement with said driving clutch member whereby the latter will be pressed into engagement with said bottom friction clutch member. u

4. In a power transmitting mechanismQthe combination with a driven member anda plurality of different speed ratio concentric driving members in axial alignment therewith and each for individual coupling to drive said driven memgg ber; of means for coupling at -least one of said plurality of concentric driving members to said driven member including a friction type centrifugal automatic clutch, said clutclicomprising a back wall fixed to said driven member, a longi- 05 tudinally spaced front wall, a presser clutch member having an internal clutch cone portion opening outwardly with increasing diameter rearwardly and an outwardly extending ange portion adjacent said front wall, centrifugal 70 weights arranged with their weight body disposed around the cone portion of said presser member,

said centrifugal weights having wedging feet i portions pivoted operatively between said front wall and the thereadjacent said flange portion of said presser member for clutch engageably actuating the latter toward said back wall, duplex bottom friction clutch conesV extending forwardly from said backwall one within the other, the outer 'of said bottom cones diverging, inwardly forwardly andthe inner bottom cone diverging outwardly forwardly, said duplex bottom friction clutch cones being fixed to said back wall,l almulti-cone clutch faced driving clutch ber having another frictionally-engaging cone portion disposed within and for engagement with Athe internal one of said duplex bottom friction clutch cones, means connecting said front and back walls in iixedlongitudinally spaced relation and to forma revolvable unity, and means includingl resilient devices for 4yieldingly urging said presser clutch ^member to move forwardly out of clutch engagement.

5. In combination with power transmitting mechanism including driving and driven mem- A creasing speed of -rotation of said presser clutch member to movably energize the latter to frictionally establish said clutch mechanism in engagement; means including corresponding longitudinal raceways on each of the said presser clutch member and the said clutch carryingmember and freely rollable instrumentalities engaging said raceways of both said presser clutch and said carrying members forming means positively preventing relative rotation therebetween but facilitating free longitudinal movement of said presser clutchrelative to said carrying member smoothly in exactness lof response and in accordance with the gradually increasing energizing effort of said speed responsive means whereby said clutch mechanism is engageably rendered jerkproof throughout its engaging range from initial to positive engagement.

' 6. 'In a motor vehicle drive, the combination with the iiywheel of the' vehicle engine; of variable speed power transmitting mechanism including two clutch shafts each controlling a differ- `ent speed ratio of said variable speed mechanism and each clutch shaftfor connection to turn with I saidfi'ywheel; a first clutch mechanism for con- YIA necting one of said clutch shafts to said flywheel, said first clutch mechanism provided with lautomatic means for engaging same, said rst clutch mechanism provided with an element fulcrumed for motion and'whereby actuating effort applied to .one portion'of said element will be multiplied and operative at another portion of said element to actuate.said first clutch nn-engageable; and a second clutch mechanism for connecting the combination with a vvariable speed power transwith said transmitting member, automatic means `said other clutch mechanism free to, move axially ing-body movement to said disengaging levers of tion clutch element adapted to be thrust into engagement with, 'andto actuata'said fulcrnm mounted element of said rst clutch mechanism 5 to cause said rendering of said first clutch nonengageable as a reaction to engagement of said second clutch mechanism.

'7. In a power transmitting mechanism, the

l0 'mitting mechanism; of two clutch shafts one associated with one speed ratio and another associated withanother speed ratio of said variable speed mechanism, a power transmitting member for connection to turn with either of said clutch shafts, a first clutch mechanism for connecting one of said clutch shafts'to turn with said transmitting member, a second clutch mechanism for connecting the other of said clutch shafts to turn for engaging one ofI said clutch mechanisms, means for engaging the other clutch mechanism, means including 'the engaging clutch element embodiment of said other clutch mechanism b'eing vmovable under engagement energizing to .25 form means for disengaging said"autornatic engaging clutch mechanism and coacting means intercontrol relating said automatic engaging and said movable clutch engaging element embodiment of said other clutch mechanisms whereby said automatic engaging clutch is actuated to disengage reactively to progressively energized engagement of said other clutch mechanism, and means including a hub portion of the clutch shaft associated element ofl said other clutch mechanism and anti-friction bearing instrumentalities connecting said hubportion to said associate clutch shaft whereby said associate clutch element and clutch shaft are connected to turn 4together but permitting free axial move'- ment of said clutch element relative to its associate clutch shaft so as to render the said movable engaging clutch element embodiment of for 'the complete disengagement of said auto- 45 matic engaging clutch while torque is being transmitted between said engaging clutch element embodiment and its associate clutch shaft.

8. 'In a motor vehicle power drive, the combination with the engine ywheel and the change speed gearset of said drive; of a plurality of clutch shafts' for-individual coupling to turn with said flywheel and each associated with a different speed ratio of said change speed gearset; an automatic engaging friction clutch mechanism carried in rotation with and by said iiywheel and including a driven clutchable element to vdrive at least one of -said plurality of clutch shafts; actuating force multiplying levers associated with said clutch and `adapted to be engaged by a force imparting medium to cause disengagement of said clutch; an optionally-engageable friction clutch unit between another of said plurality of clutch shafts and said flywheel, said optionally-engageable clutch unit comprising drive anddriven frictionally-engagingelements adapted to move axially asa body reactively to the pressure of their being engaged; means for applying said optional-clutch-engagl said automatic-engaging-clutch mechanism; and means for engaging and'disengaging said drive vand driven friction. elements of said optionally-v engageable clutch unit.

`9. In a power transmitting mechanism, the

combination with one power transmitting member and a plurality of other power transmitting members each for connection to turn with said one power transmitting member; A of an automatic engaging clutch mechanism between at least one of said'plurality of other transmitting members and said one member for causing the respective, 'said connection therebetween; another clutch` mechanism'between another of said plurality of other transmitting' members and said one member f or causingthe respective said connection therebetween, one element of said other clutch mechanism in connection to turn with one of the 'respective connectable said'members and the other element of said other clutch mech-v anism for connection to turn with, but for axial movement relative to the other of the respective connectable said members, means including antifriction bearing 4instrumentalities forming a nonrelatively rotatable connection between said axialV lmovement adapted one of said clutch elements and its respective associate power 5 transmitting member, 'resilient means urging said axial movement adapted one of said clutch elements in one axial direction to normally disengage said clutchelements, means for forcing said axially movable clutch element in the 10 other direction against restraint of said resilient means to effect engagement of said clutch elements; and means whereby said automatic engaging clutch mechanism is caused to disengage or prevented from engaging in response to en- 15 gagement of said other clutch mechanism.

` EVERETT R. BURTNETT. 

